Westford school diversity inclusion, “a work in progress”

Susanna Wood Correspondent

Wednesday

Aug 22, 2018 at 7:35 PMAug 23, 2018 at 4:56 PM

During the 2017 – 2018 school year, Westford Schools started a Diversity Committee and created a 2017 – 2018 school calendar listing holidays from all religious groups so teachers and staff could avoid scheduling events on significant minority holidays.

This summer, Westford’s School Committee initially ignored its own advice -- but after hearing from a parent, quickly changed course. The School Committee’s initial 2018-2019 meeting calendar impacted four dates conflicting with minority holidays, including Eid al-Fitr a major Muslim holiday.

Does this overlap even matter? After all, the School Committee meetings are taped and the percentage of Westford families affected is small. The Eagle asked Amanda Zaman, the Westford parent of three who spoke out, if the new calendar impacted Muslim families like hers. She said the overlap would have “set a precedent” that others will follow so, yes, it does matter.

“Eid al-Fitr…absolutely. People will be busy from morning until sundown,” said Zaman. “Is our calendar really so full in Westford that we couldn’t pick other dates?”

Eid al-Fitr is one of two most holy days of the year for Muslim families.

Westford’s School Committee Chairperson Avery Adam told the Eagle that they are now working with Superintendent Everett V. Olsen to evaluate options.

“He will be reviewing the meeting schedule with members of the Diversity and Inclusion Team over the coming weeks,” said Adams. “We want to create an environment where every child, teacher and family can thrive…the current SC is very proactive.”

Zaman hopes other Westford parents know that their voices will be heard.

“My experience is that every time I’ve opened up about these things, its been met with open arms,” Zaman said upon hearing the School Committee meeting would no longer be held on Eid al-Fitr. “The school had good intentions, but did not have the full information.”

Diversity Committee welcomes parent involvement

The Eagle asked the Westford Public Schools Diversity and Inclusion Committee about the calendar and how Westford parents can get involved.

Westford Academy teacher Jenny Kravitz, committee co-facilitator along with Olsen, said her committee was not initially consulted about the new School Committee meeting calendar.

“This type of diversity work is still in its early stages in Westford, but we are excited to create a parent focus group, in order to give a representative group of diverse parents an important role in this work,” said Kravitz.

Zaman said she has already signed up.

Interested parents can fill out this Google form: https://bit.ly/2P2c0iq

“[We are also] planning for an interfaith focus group to include a diverse representation of leaders from community religious groups,” said Kravitz.

“Currently, the WPS DIT is a closed group of WPS staff, focused primarily on student education, staff training, and evaluation of educational resources,” Kravitz told the Eagle. “We have received input from several different student focus groups and will continue to recruit additional student voices to inform our work. We have invited and have benefited from parental involvement.”

The original intent of the committee was to include staff, residents, clergy and students.

For more information on the Diversity and Inclusion committee, contact co-facilitators Olsen at bolsen@westfordk12.us, or Kravitz at jkravitz@westfordk12.edu.

Forward motion

“There is a lack of awareness, but if you make people aware, they will work with you,” said Zaman. “Last year we had a multi-cultural pot luck [planned at our school] during Ramadan, during our fast period,” said Zaman. “I called them and they rescheduled it. Other schools are struggling as we are. We are not behind the ball, but we have to keep going."

For School Committee agendas and more information go to, https://bit.ly/2o2Sbw6.